We’re Not Just for Seniors Anymore: Here’s What Changed in 2020

For many years, the Lincoln County Council on Aging—LCCOA was known as the senior center and the home of Meals on Wheels in Lincoln County, Missouri. Neighbors across Troy, Moscow Mills, Hawk Point, Elsberry, Silex, and Winfield came to recognize our building as a place where good meals, friendly faces, and helping hands made everyday life a little easier.

In 2020, something important happened.

Our Board of Directors voted unanimously to update the bylaws and formally become a community center for all residents of Lincoln County—no age limits, no labels, just neighbors helping neighbors. The decision reflected what we had already seen for years: wellness, connection, education, and a good meal are not only for seniors. They are for every person who calls this county home.

What Stayed the Same

At our core, the mission never changed. LCCOA continues to be a place where people are treated with dignity and where practical help meets genuine friendship. We still provide:

• Home-delivered meals for neighbors who are homebound

• On-site community lunches that bring people around the table together

• A welcoming space where questions are answered and resources are shared

• Respect and compassion for every individual who walks through our doors

The heart of LCCOA has always been relationships. Meals open conversations, conversations build trust, and trust builds a healthier community.

What You’ll See Today

If you step inside now, you’ll notice something beautiful—generations mixing in the same room. You might see a young adult playing cards with a retiree, a caregiver stopping by for information, veterans gathering for coffee, or families joining an afternoon activity. The building feels less like a program and more like a neighborhood living room.

Along with the meals so many depend on, LCCOA now offers:

• Wellness and exercise programs for different abilities

• Brain health games and evidence-based education

• Support for caregivers, veterans, and adults with disabilities

• Volunteer opportunities for students, churches, and civic groups

• Social activities that help fight isolation and build friendships

Active aging doesn’t begin at retirement—it begins the moment we choose to move, learn, and connect with one another. That belief guides everything we do.

More Than Services—A Sense of Belonging

People often tell us they were nervous to visit because they thought we were “only for seniors.” Then they walk in and realize the center is simply a gathering place for the whole community. The laughter in the dining room, the conversations after exercise class, and the volunteers packing meals all tell the same story: we belong to each other.

Whether someone comes for lunch, for help finding resources, or just to sit and talk, they discover that LCCOA is not defined by age. It is defined by care.

Come See What Your Community Center Feels Like

If you haven’t visited recently—or ever—we would love to meet you. LCCOA is open Monday through Friday, offering home-delivered meals, on-site lunches, daily activities, and opportunities to serve alongside your neighbors. You don’t need a reason to walk in. Curiosity is enough!

You are invited. Message us on Facebook, email anytime, or better yet - stop by LCCOA Monday through Friday between 8am to 4pm to learn more about what’s happening at your Lincoln County community center. There is always room for one more at the table!